Public or private, whichever political party you like, I can't help thinking how dumb we've become. We have so much good farming land and so many precious metals in the ground we should be able to have good paying jobs for 10 million people (even though we don't have that many needing them) farming food, mining and most importantly then making those food ingredients in to products and making those minerals and metals in to something. The rest of us can then all have jobs being the teachers, nurses, accountants, media, footballers whatever. And we should be able to do it all with free trade in place. Anyway that's all off topic.

Back on topic what's everyone expecting from the crowd on Friday? Attendance number? Loud? Big demon contingent in Alice? Will the great man Liam Jurrah be in attendance (is he locked up at the moment?).

On a similar note given that it's still a practice match it's probably worth it to include Dom Barry in the team as a local boy. It might get us a bit more interest and he'd probably be keen to play and do well anyway. We have to be more ruthless and less sentimental as a club but nothing wrong with the occasional pragmatic decision in selection.

it sounds like Barry has been in fair form in practice matches. I'm sure they'd take him up there for him to represent the club in 'The Alice'.

I sounds like the place to play a small running team.

Haven't said anything thus far but will now curse you with my commentary...

One thing I don't want to hear in the next little bit:
'The game will be a great learning experience.'
One thing that has annoyed me from 2007 onwards has been our attitude towards games vs. Geelong. We always surrender them before they have even began.|
This time around we (at least at a player level) should be looking at this as an opportunity to win, not an opportunity to learn (read: be humbled).

Haven't said anything thus far but will now curse you with my commentary...

One thing I don't want to hear in the next little bit:

'The game will be a great learning experience.'

One thing that has annoyed me from 2007 onwards has been our attitude towards games vs. Geelong. We always surrender them before they have even began.|

This time around we (at least at a player level) should be looking at this as an opportunity to win, not an opportunity to learn (read: be humbled).

Sounds like our games against Hawthorn over the same period. Has nothing to do with them both being the best & most professional teams in that period and us being far and away the worst and least professional.

Even if you hear the words this year I think the experience will be backed up by some solid learning this time. We actually have people on board capable of teaching and explaining the lesson.

Sounds like our games against Hawthorn over the same period. Has nothing to do with them both being the best & most professional teams in that period and us being far and away the worst and least professional.

Even if you hear the words this year I think the experience will be backed up by some solid learning this time. We actually have people on board capable of teaching and explaining the lesson.

I know that there is a gap there rjay. And the unprofessionalism was displayed by the fact that we would basically write the game off before it began. Not this year. Sure, we shouldn't be unrealistic and think we will win by 10 goals but no more of this 'It's going to be a great experience for the boys to see how a power club does it.' We should stop aiming to learn from power clubs and try to become one ourselves. We have viewed ourselves as the poor cousin for two long.

From Friday we have 3 weeks left, Chris Dawes even if he doesn't play Friday he may still get a run against Hawthorn then a match with Casey the week after, two games is enough for him to be ready for round 1. Looking forward to Friday night

So are we certain Dawes won't play? didn't he play in the intra club and run it out alright?

So are we certain Dawes won't play? didn't he play in the intra club and run it out alright?

Ended the day with an ice pack on his leg D26.

All the talk was he is fine.

But who knows?

Ended the day with an ice pack on his leg D26.

All the talk was he is fine.

But who knows?

Yeah, bloody impossible with how little info the club lets out sometimes haha

it sounds like Barry has been in fair form in practice matches. I'm sure they'd take him up there for him to represent the club in 'The Alice'.

I sounds like the place to play a small running team.

If Barry does not play, then he will certainly be there as the MFC is staying on in Alice for their Community Camp.

Squads for Friday's NAB Challenge match between Melbourne and Geelong have been named:

MELBOURNE:

1. Jesse Hogan, 2. Nathan Jones, 4. Jack Watts, 5. Jimmy Toumpas, 8. James Frawley, 9. Jack Trengove, 10. Shannon Byrnes, 12. Dom Tyson, 13. Jordie McKenzie, 14. Lynden Dunn, 15. Mitch Clisby, 17. Sam Blease, 18. Daniel Cross, 21. Cameron Pedersen, 22. Viv Michie, 23. Bernie Vince, 25. Tom McDonald, 26. Daniel Nicholson, 29. Jayden Hunt, 31. Jack Grimes, 33. Dom Barry, 38. Jere...my Howe, 39. Neville Jetta, 41. Alexis Georgiou, 42. Jake Spencer, 44. Rohan Bail. 45. Matt Jones, 46. Dean Terlich, 48. Jack Fitzpatrick

AFL website

Dawes not named. Not surprised

Interesting to see Hunt, but no Kennedy-Harris or Salem

Almost certainly rules Viney out of round 1 too

Jesse Hogan!!!

Finally.

Interesting to see Hunt, but no Kennedy-Harris or Salem

Yes that is doubly disappointing as I hoped that both might feature Round 1.

Alexis Georgiou James Frawley Lynden Dunn

Jack Grimes Tom Mcdonald Dean Terlich

Jack Watts Bernie Vince Jack Trengove

Jimmy Toumpas Cam Pederson Jeremy Howe

Sam Blease Jack Fitzpatrick Jesse Hogan

Jake Spencer Nathan Jones Dom Tyson

Daniel Cross Viv Michie Matt Jones Jordie Mckenzie

Shannon Byrnes Dom Barry

that's my guess anyway

Edited February 26, 201411 yr by D26

Would not be at all surprised if Hogan is a late out, too. If not, almost certainly won't play full game. He isn't match-fit

Im actually more excited to see Jack Fitzy. Im impatient to see if my fragile hopes have much basis.

Im hoping he isnt mainly kept to rucking duties and starts at FF leading from the square.

Squads for Friday's NAB Challenge match between Melbourne and Geelong have been named:

MELBOURNE:

1. Jesse Hogan, 2. Nathan Jones, 4. Jack Watts, 5. Jimmy Toumpas, 8. James Frawley, 9. Jack Trengove, 10. Shannon Byrnes, 12. Dom Tyson, 13. Jordie McKenzie, 14. Lynden Dunn, 15. Mitch Clisby, 17. Sam Blease, 18. Daniel Cross, 21. Cameron Pedersen, 22. Viv Michie, 23. Bernie Vince, 25. Tom McDonald, 26. Daniel Nicholson, 29. Jayden Hunt, 31. Jack Grimes, 33. Dom Barry, 38. Jere...my Howe, 39. Neville Jetta, 41. Alexis Georgiou, 42. Jake Spencer, 44. Rohan Bail. 45. Matt Jones, 46. Dean Terlich, 48. Jack Fitzpatrick

AFL website

God delivery us from that pair.

If they are in round1 put your money on the saints.

No Gawn!

Very Glad we have Spencer.

Edited February 26, 201411 yr by old dee

Almost certainly rules Viney out of round 1 too

Why? he can play next week against Hawthorn and the following week for Casey, if he finds touch and form through those games he would be in contention for round 1.

Never seen so much 'woe is our team selection' for a NAB Cup game in this history of this board. Rather than be pleased to see Hogan, Fitzy and Watts back we are too busy being negative about who isn't playing. We looked darn good last week, the least we can do is be pleased that we have added more talent to the team and that hopefully we can back it up as best we can.

Why? he can play next week against Hawthorn and the following week for Casey, if he finds touch and form through those games he would be in contention for round 1.

That may be true dr but time is now running out rapidly

Surprised no Kennedy- Harris and Salem, thought Roosy would be keen to get games into them

Why? he can play next week against Hawthorn and the following week for Casey, if he finds touch and form through those games he would be in contention for round 1.

The fact is that he's not fit, and he's not a walk-up start this season. Will spend a few weeks at Casey before he plays his first home-and-away game for the year

This is how I'd represent the squad in team view:

FB: Dunn Frawley Georgiou
HB: Grimes McDonald Terlich

C: Watts N. Jones Vince

HF: Toumpas Pedersen Trengove

FF: Blease Hogan Howe

Foll: Spencer Tyson Cross

Int: Michie, Matt Jones, Bail, McKenzie, Fitzpatrick

Plus take your pick of 3 from: Barry, Hunt, Clisby, Jetta, Nicholson, Byrnes